Sarawak - home of Iban and other fine weavers

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Sarawak, a Malaysian state, is the home of several Iban tribes. They produce ikat of very high quality, that has many admirers around the world. Please refer back to the Borneo page for more information.

In literature about Serawak ikat, especially older texts, one often finds sections of Serawak referred to by their old administrative labels: First, Second, Third and Fourth Division. As these are now hard to find on maps, this table may be helpful.

COLONIAL NAME

AREA

First Division

Districts of the river Sarawak, Lundu and Sadong

Second Division

Districts Batang Lupar, Saribas and Kelakah

Third Division

Districts Rejang, Mukah, Oya and Bintulu

Fourth Division

Districts Baram, Limbang, Trusan and Lawas

Literature

There are several excellent works on the ikat of Sarawak, mostly focused on the art of the Iban. The most quoted authors are Traude Gavin, Michael Heppell and Datin Amar Margaret Linggi who among them have provided us with a rich source of information on the ikat of Sarawak and their meaning. Another important source is Vernon Kedit, descendent of a famous line of Sarawak weavers - see Literature section.